Fluid meter



Feb. 25, 1941. w, H. DE LANCEY 2,233,246

FLUID METER Filed Dec. 24, 1958 6 Sheets-Shea?I y1 Feb. 25, 1941. l w H DE yLANCEY 2,233,246

` FLUID METER Filed Dec. 24, 19158 6 SheeoS-Sheel INVENTOR MRM/vf LA /ycfy TTORNEYS Feb. 25, 1941. w H, DE LANCEY 2,233,246

FLUID METER Filed Dec. 24, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 TORNEYS Feb 25, 1941- w. H. DE LANCEY 2,233,246

FLUID METER Filed Dec. 24, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Y M/mf/vf f An/cfr Pay/ ToRNEYs Feb. 25, 1941. w H, DELANCEY 2,233,246

FLUID METER Filed Deo. 24, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 @mi A MQ/ l N V E N TO R Mmm/v( [7.6 LA /ycfy TTORNEYS Patented Feb. 2,5, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT" oFF'lcE FLUID METER chusetts Application December 24, 1938, Serial No. 247,687

4 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to improvements in displacement meters oi the type wherein reciprocating pistonsactuate the distributing valve through the intermediary of a wobble plate.

5 The invention has for one object an improved mounting of the wobble plate by a means which provides for the necessary nutating motion of said plate and at the same time restrains it against axial displacement in both directions and o also against rotation about its own axis.

Another object is to provide, as an addition tothe above described arrangement, a connection between the valve and that part of the wobble plate which actuates it, such connection be- 15 ing supplementary to the usual connection, and acting to prevent relative rotation of such part and valve about the central axis of the valve.

A further object is to provide an improved form of valve, having an upstanding tubular hub with a piston-11k@ part snaamy and telescopicauy engaged therewith and suspended by a gimbal joint from the valve-actuating-part of the wobble plate,-this arrangement serving to relieve the valve of a large portion of the liquid pressure act- 25 ing against 1t,l the thrust on the piston-like part being transferred to said actuating part and thence through the wobble plate to its support.

Another object is to provide, as an addition to the last described arrangement, a means for preo venting relative rotation of the valve and the piston-like part with which it is telescopically engaged.

Another object is to provide, in a meter of the type described, a generally simplified and improved construction and arrangement of parts, enabling important economies in manufacture.

These and other objects will best be understood as the detailed description proceeds and they will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a meter embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the 45 line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cylinder block or lower casing member;

Fig. 4 is a similar but fragmentary view showing the central portion of the cylinder block as 5 it appears after assembly of the valve block thereon;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 5-5 oi' Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 2 0 of Fig. 3:

(Cl. 'I3-244) Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the meter;

Figs. 8 and 9 are top plan views of the lower and upper valve parts, respectively;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the valve parts assembled;

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional plan views taken gli tle lines II-ll and |2-I2 respectively, of

g. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |3I3 of Fig. 5; 10

Fig. 14 is afragmentary cross sectional view of the meter showing a different form of valve;

Fig. 15 is a sectional plan view taken on the line I5-I5 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary top plan view of the 15 wobble plate showing the means for connecting the piston rods thereto.

Referring to these drawings, the meter in' cludes two main casing elementsa body I8 and a cover Il (Fig. ll-both of which may advan- 20 tageously be formed as die castings of any sui-t4 able metal, such as aluminum, for example. The body I6 contains the cylinders and supports the pistons, valve and valve operating means, while the cover supports the register driving connections and forms within it a chamber I8 within which the valve and its operating mechanism are housed. The cover, of inverted cup-shape, has an annular flange i9 which is secured by a circularv series of cap screws 20 to the circular plate- 30 like portion 2| of the body,-a gasket `22 being interposed between the body and cover to seal the joint therebetween. The body member or cylinder block has formed therein as depending portions of the circular plate-like top 2 I, a circular series (three as shown in Fig. 3) of cylinders 2'3, disposed with their axes vertical and equally spaced one from another angularly and equi-distantly spaced radially from the central vertical axis of the body and cover 40 members. Each cylinder i-s open at its upper end and closed at its lower end. Each cylinder preferably has a'thin tubular lining 24 of suitable material, such for example as brass. An outlet passage 25, substantially triangular in cross section, extends centrally and vertically through the body I8 from top to bottom thereof (Fig. l). The bottom of body I6 has a faced flange 26 (Fig. 7) with a series of tapped holes 21 or is otherwise suitably formed for connection to discharge pip- 2 I 39 or is otherwise suitably formed for connection with inlet piping. Formed in the body I6 and between the cylinders are vertical ducts 3| (Figs.

1, 3 and 6), one for each cylinder, which are open at their uppenends and extend downwardly, terminating close to the bottoms of the cylinders. The lower end of each duct 3i communicates with the lower part of its cylinder 23 through .an opening 32 (Figs. 1 and 6) in the peripheral wall thereof. In the bottom wall of each cylinder is a sump 33 and leading'downwardly therefrom is a drain passage 34, normally closed 'by a plug 35.

Resting upon the top of plate portion 2l (Figs. 1 and 4), and located centrally thereof, is a ported member 36 of suitable material, such as bronze for example, the top face of which is suitably flnished to form a seat 31 for the'valve 38 of the meter. This member 36 has a central outlet por-t 39 which is of the same cross sectional shape as passsage 25 and registers therewith. The member 36 also has a series of elongated ports 4|) equally spaced around the central port 39. Passages 4l in the member connect these ports 40 one to each of the ducts 3|. has parallel sideswhich parallel the adjacent side of the substantially triangular port 39 and semi-circular ends. The member 36 is secured by cap screws 42 to the member 2|. 'Ihe member 36 further is provided with a series of'ears 43 projecting radially outwardly therefrom.

' A tripod (Figs. 1 and 15), having a circular top 44 and three supporting legs 45 with .feet 46 is supported from the block 36--the feet 45 resting one on each of the ears 43 and being secured thereto by cap screws 41. The top 44 has a. centrally-located, rectangular hole 48 therethrough and apair of laterally-spaced, upstanding ears 49 located one on each of two opposite sides oi said hole.l The peripheral wall of top 44 is screw-threaded and engaged therewith like a nut for vertical movement, when rotated, is an annular member 50, the upper face of which aifords a track 5l. This member 58 is formed with gear teeth 52.

The tripod supports by means of a universal joint, preferably of the gimbal type, the wobble plate of the meter (Fig. 1). This plate 53 is circular in plan and of upwardly-dished cross-sectional shape with an annular bead 54 of rounded cross section embordering its lower face and designed to engage trackv 5I. The plate 53, together with a central shaft 55 which extends above and lbelow the plate in coaxial relation therewith, may be formed in one piece as a die casting. The axis of shaft 55 lies at right angles to the plane of the track-engaging part of bead 54. At a point just beneath plate 53, the shaft 55 has a rectangular hole 56 therethrough to receive a block 51 (see also Fig. 5) which is mounted to rock on a pin .58 fixed at its ends one in each of two opposite'walls of said hole. Such walls may likewise be considered as a pair of ears depending from the wobble plate. This block 51 is also mountedto rock on the trunnion-like ends of two studs 59, `fixed one in each of the ears 49 on the tripod top 44. The common axis of the studs 59 lies at right angles to the axis of pin 58 and both these axes lie in the plane of the track-engaging surface of bead 54. The'wobble plate is thus supported by a gimbal joint which, like a ball and socket type of universal joint, enables the necessary nutating movement of the plate but unlike the ball and socket type,

Each port 40 the gimbaljoint prevents rotation of the plate on its axis and holds the plate against axial displacement,` both upwardly and downwardly. The wobble plate 53 (Fig. 1),` has three pairs of ears 60 projecting radially outward from its periphery,each pair being spaced 120 degrees from the other two. Strengthening webs 6I extend fromv the upper partv of shaft 55 radially outwardly along the top face of plate 53, one to each said pair. g f

Slidable in .each cylinder 23 is a suitable pis' ton 62 (Fig. l) having a vertically upstanding rod 63. The upper end of each rod 63 is forked to receive a member 64 (Figs. 1 and 16) mounted to rock on a pin 65 fixed at its ends one ineach arm of the fork. This member likewise fits be` tween a. pair of ears 69, and a. pin 66 located at right angles. to pin 65 passes through the block and ears 60 and is suitably fixed tothe latter. Each piston rod is thus connected to the wobble plate by a gim-bal type' of universal joint. 'Ihe pins 65 and 66 are spaced one above the other on opposite sides of, but very close to, the aforesaid plane of lthe track-engaging surface of bead 54 of the wobble plate.

The lower. and depending end'of the wobble plate shaft 55 actuates the valve 3 6. This valve,

55, and is cylindrical and partly telescoped in the open upper end of the bore of the lower part'. The upper part is a piston-like member and closes the top of the tubular portion 61. Its base 69 is acted on by the pressure of'liquid in chamber l1 with a downward thrust. The two valve parts are relatively slidable vertically but cannot turn the one relatively to the otherbecause ofthe engagement of keys 10 (formed on part 68) in vertical grooves 1I formed in the bore of part 61. A tube 12 (Fig. 1) of flexible material joins the two valve parts, being bound tightly at its ends one to part 61 and one to part 68.V This tube prevents liquid from reaching the interior of tub-e 61 but vallows free vertical movement between the parts 61 and 68. A flat spring 13 (Figs. 8 and 10) bearing at its center against the base of the part 69 has three radial prongs which bear at their outer ends against the tops of flanges 14 on the member 61, and tends to press valve 38 against its seat. A member 15 fits between two hubs 16 (Figs. l, 10 and 11) on member 69 and has squared end faces to engage the squared end faces of the hubs. This member can rock relatively to member 69 on trunnions 11 mounted one in each of the hubs 16. The member 15 has two other squared faces (Fig. 11) at right angles to the first-named faces and these are overlapped by the arms 18 of the fork formed on the lower end of shaft 55. A pin 19 passes through the arms 18 and member 15 with its axis at right angles to the common axis of trunnions 11. Thus, the upper valve part 61 is supported by the lower end of the shaft of the wobble plate by a gimbal joint in such a waythat it cannot rotate about its vertical axis and, since the valve part 66 is held from turning relatively to the part 61 by the keys 18 and keyways 1I, the valve itself cannot rotate about its central vertical axis. 'I'he wobble plate, being held against rotation on its own axis by the upper gimbal Joint, shaft 88 ycannot rotate about its axis. The valve 38, be-

circular path. The valve 38 is relieved of much of the liquid 'pressure which would otherwise thrust it against its seat 31, because of the upper part 8l. The downward thrust of liquid pressure acts on the full circular area of this part and the valve is shielded from and relieved of this much of the pressure because the thrust on part 88 is transmitted by the shaft- 88 and its two gimbal joints to the fixed support 44. The valve 38 is thus relieved of much of the pressure thrust and the only parts left exposed to the inlet' pressure are those portions of valve 33 which project beyond its tubular part 81. The valve 38 is of `the form of an equilateral triangle except that the corners are rounded off as shown. The valve 38 has a central opening 88 therethrough of the same shape. y

An alternative form of valve is shown in Figs. 14 and 15. 'I'he valve 38 has the same modified triangular form, as above described, but instead of the triangular opening therethrough, the valve 38' has a recess 88' in its bottom of the same size and form, as viewed in plan, as the opening 88.

This valve 38 is not supported by the wobble l plate shaft 55', as above described. Instead, this shaft has fixed in its lower end a pin 8 I, the lower end 82 of which is in the form of part of a ball or sphere, the curved surfaces engaging the peripheral wall of a vertical hole 82 formed in the top wall of the valve. The arrangement enables relative vertical movement between the wobble plate shaft and valve while maintaining an operable ball and socket connection.

With a ball and socket connection, as distinguished from the gimbal Joint type of universal joint connection used with valve 38, it is possible for the valve 38 to rotate about its own axisv and some supplementary connection between the valve and wobble plate shaft must be provided to prevent this action. As shown, the shaft 55 of the wobble plate has near its lower and valveactuating end two fiat parallel walls 83 (Fig. 15) which are engaged by the arms 84 of the forked end of a link 85. A pin 88 connects arms 84 and shaft 55' so that the link is pivoted to swing up and down on a horizontal axis. The outer end of link 88 is downturned and has a hole therein in which the protruding end of a horizontal pin 81, xed in valve 38', extends. This hole (Fig. 14) is so formed as to allow free rocking movement of link 85 on its pivot 88. The pin 81 has its axis disposed at right angles to pin 88. Thus, the valve cannot turn about its central vertical axis because of link 85 and the latter cannot turn relatively to `shaft 55 and this shaft cannot turn because of the gimbal joint which supports the wobble plate.

The upper end of the shaft of wobble plate 53 has fixed therein a stud 88 (Fig. 1,) bearing a roll 98 which engages one or the other of two webs 8|, depending from the lower face of a disc 82 and disposed in diametrically opposed relation. Disc 82 is fixed to the lower end of a shaft 83, rotatably mounted in bearings one in the central upper portion of cover I1 and another in a cover plate 84, secured by cap screws 85 to cover I1. Between the lower bearing and plate 84 is a chamber 88 in which are located two seal rings 81 and a spring 88, both rings and springs encompassing shaft 83. The spring spreadsapart the rings 81 and holds them, one in sealing ensagement with the upper end face of the lower bearing and the other in sealing engagement with the lower face of the upper bearing. On the upper end of shaft 83 and above plate 84 is fixed a pinion 88 (Figs. 1 and 2) which meshes with a gear |88, rotatably mounted on a stud |8|, fixed to the outer top wall of cover I1. 'I'he hub of gear |88 has a hollow tubular extension |82 which projects beyond the head of stud |8| and has diametrically opposed slots |83 in its side wall. This part |82 is intended to receive one end of a flexible coupling on thedrive shaft of a suitable register, not shown. A pressed metal case |84 is secured by cap screws |88 to cover I1 to enclose the exposed end of shaft 83 and gears 88 and |88 leaving only the extension |82 ex- DOsed.

For the purpose of calibrating the meter, means are provided for rotating gear l2 from a point outside the casing of the meter, whereby the track 5| may be raised or lowered to thereby vary the stroke of the 4pistons of the meter and thus the. amount of liquid displaced therefrom. For this purpose, e. pinion |88 (Figs. 5 and 13) meshes with gear `52 and is fixed on the upper end of a vertical shaft |81. This shaft has an upper bearing in the valve seat block 38 (Fig. 13) and a long lower bearing in the body I8, exten ing out through a stuffing box |88 in the bottom wall of the body. A gland |88, movable by cap screws ||8, threaded into the bottom wall of body I8, serves to compress the packing around shaft |81 and prevent leakage. A collar ||I on shaft |81 engages the upper face of the bearing block 38 and this, together with a hand wheel ||2 (see also Fig. 7) fixed on the lower end of the shaft, serves to prevent undue axial dis placement of shaft |81. ,The hand wheel has a circular series of holes ||3 (Fig. 7) in any one of which a sealing pin I|4 may be engaged--the inner end of such pin fitting into a hole I|5 in the bottom wall of body I8 to prevent rotation of the hand wheel. The outer end of pin II4 is perforated to receive a sealing wire |I8 which mayalso be passed through one of the unoccupied holes II3 and have its ends Joined by a lead seal I |1, as indicated, to guard against unauthorized removal of the pin.

The pistons may be of any suitable construe'- tion and the construction shown, while desirable and preferred, may be varied as desired. The piston, as shown herein in Fig. 1, includes a die cast body |I8, having a central, upstanding, interiorly threaded hub |I8; an upstanding annular flange |28 surrounding the boss and coaxialiy disposed but radially spaced therefrom; and a flat annular upper face |2|. A cupped piston leather |22 has its annular portion engaging face |2| and the flange |28 serves to center the leather on the piston body. A flat washer |23 rests upon this portion of the leather. Resting at its central portion on the top end face of hub |I8 is a pressed metal plate |24. The piston rod 83 is threaded at its lower end into hub ||8 and a nut |25 on the rod serves to clamp the central portion of plate |24 to the hub of the piston body. Member |24 has a downturned cylindrical partl |28 which telescopes over flange |28 and, extending from the lower end of portion |28 is a flat annular portion |21 which presses against the washer |23 and holds the annular part of piston leather |22 against face |2I of the piston body. Encompassing the portion |21 is a portion |28 which is of quarter round cross section and which, together with washer |23, serves to retain a spring |29 that presses the cylindrical portion oi' the piston leather against the wall of its cylinder.

In operation, liquid is supplied under pressure to the inlet passage 28. and entersand fills the chamber I8, flowing into the open upper ends of the cylinders 23. The tops of the pistons 22 are thus continuously subjected to the pressure of the liquid acting on them with a tendency to move them downward. Whenever the valve 38 connects oneof the cylinder ducts 3| to the outlet passage 25, the piston in that cylinder will be forced downwardly by the pressure of liquid acting on its top, thus expelling the liquid previously drawn into the cylinder below the piston and also imparting a downward pull to the wobble plate 53. The valve 38, moved in an orbital path by the wobble plate without rotation about its own axis, successively connects the cylinders to the outlet 25 so that the wobble plate is pulled down iirst by one piston, then bythe next in the series and then by the last in the series, whereby the wobble plate is given a movement of nutation and the ends of its shaft 55 caused to describe circular paths. The valve also successively connects each' duct 3| to the chamber |8, thereby admitting liquid to the lower ends of cylinders 23. Under such condition the piston 22 is substantially balanced against the inlet pressure and doesl not contribute to or resist movement of the wobble plate. Each piston starts .its downward stroke before the preceding pistonin the series has completed its downstroke, wherefore the power strokes-overlap and continuous movement is imparted to the wobble plate and continuous discharge of liquid from the outlet of the meter is eiected. The movement of `the wobble plate acts `through the upper part of shaft 55 or 55' to rotate shaft 93 and drive the counter or register through the gearing 99--I00 in the usual way.

The valve 38' functions in exactly the same manner as valve 38 so far as operation of the meter is concerned.

The stroke of each piston is limited in both directions by the engagement of the wobble plate 53 with track 5|. Consequently, by raising `or lowering this track by the means disclosed, the stroke may be diminished or increased, respectively, for calibration purposes. l

The invention provides a considerably simpliiied and improved structure, as measured by the meters of this type found in the prior art. Heretofore, special means have been provided to hold the wobble plate against upward displacement and against rotationl on its axis. By using a gimbal joint instead of a ball and socket joint at the center of the wobble plate, I am enabled to accomplish both these functions and to dispense with special parts previously used for the purpose. Some kind of a universal joint is necessary to support the wobble plate for its movement of nutation and the type chosen serves this purpose and also accomplishes other purposes which previously has necessitated additional parts. The use oi' .gimbal joints between the piston rods and wobble plate and between the wobble plate and valve is preferred because of the substantial reduction in friction.

The valve arrangement, whereby the valve is held from turning on its own axis by the use of a gimbal joint between it and the shaft of the wobble plate, is also considered important because of simplification of structure. This araasaa-ie rangement also enables the valve to be relieved of much of the pressure thrust-much of such manufacture `without sacrifice to itsv effectiveness in operation.

What I claim is: .v 1. A meter, comprising. cooperating casing elements ailording between them a housing having thrust being transmitted throughA thel wobblek plate tol its support 44. The valve constructionv 1 an inlet and an outlet, one said element vhaving a circular series of cylinders grouped about a.

central axis and a ported valve seat and ducts communicating one with each cylinder, a support fixed to one element and spaced from said seat, a wobble plate, a gimbal joint connecting the wobble plate at its central axis to said support and restraining rotation of such plate about its said axis, a projection on the wobble plate extending toward said valve seat and terminating with an end alined with the axis of the plate,

pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and operav tively connectedl to said wobble plate, a valve communicating one with eachcylinder, a support xed to one element and spaced from said seat, a. wobble plate, a gimbal joint connecting the wobbleplate at its central axis to said support and restraining rotation of suchplate about its said axis, a projection on lthe wobble plate extending toward said valve seat and terminating with an end alined with the axis of the plate, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and operatively connected to said wobble plate, a valve slidably engaged withl said seat to distribute liquid from the inlet successively to said ducts and from said ducts successively tosaid outlet, a universal joint connecting said' end to the valve at its central axis, and a link pivotedto said end on an axis parallel to said seat to swing toward and away from said valve and pivotally connected to the valve at a point spa'ced from the axis of the Valve.

3. A meter, comprising, cooperating casing ele` ments affording between them a housing having an inlet and an outlet, one said element havingl its axis and axial movement thereof, avprojection on said wobble plate extending toward said valve seat and terminating with an end alined with the axis of the plate, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and operatively connected to said wobble plate, a valve slidably engaged with said seat to distribute liquid from the inlet successively to said ducts and from said ducts successively to said outlet, said valve having a coaxial tubular part extending toward said end,

a piston-like member slidably and telescopically engaged with said tubular part, a gimbal Joint interconnecting said end and piston-like member, whereby the pressure of the liquid in'y said housing acts on said piston-like member and the thrust is taken by said projection and transmitted through the wobble Plate and said il'si-v assazse block and forming therewith an inlet chamber, a valve slidable on said seat to successively connect said ducts to the chamber and to successively connect said ducts to said passage, a centrai support fixed to and upstanding from said block and overlying the valve and having an annular track concentric with said axis, a wobble plate having a plane annular surface for engagement with said track and a pair of spaced depending ears, a pair of spaced upstanding ears on said support andai; right angles to said firstnamed ears, and a member located between all said ears and pivotaliy connected to each pair on axes which are disposed at right angles and which both lie in the same plane and in the plane of said track engaging surface of the wobble plate, and a member depending from said plate and having a coaxially disposed terminal end connected by a universal joint to said valve.

WARREN H. DE LANCEY. 

